Austin vs Barcelona vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
Remove
Barcelona 🇪🇸
Remove
Budapest 🇭🇺
Remove
Cape Town 🇿🇦
Remove
Valencia 🇪🇸
Remove
Population 926,426 5,585,556 1,768,073 4,617,560 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High High Very high Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1230 $1549 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $499 $618 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $108 $129 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $202 $269 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $29 $32 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $120 $151 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $9 $27 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $36 $55 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $27 $21 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $13 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $24 $19 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $7 $15 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $43 $66
Gym $62 $81 $37 $36 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $48 $56 $87
Massage $89 $59 $26 $30 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow